Energy Storage
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Energy production rarely coincides perfectly with demand (especially peak demand). Power utility companies need to manage power production at plants in order to match supply with demand. This approach is complex and expensive and, consequently, not appropriate for small-scale energy systems. For small-scale systems, two approaches are possible: adjusting the demand to match the energy production in quantity and in time, or storing excess energy for delivery when needed.
The concept of energy storage isn't restricted to batteries; it encompasses all techniques and technologies used to shift energy from one time period to another, from one state to another, or from one place to another. For example: electric energy can be transformed into chemical energy (batteries) or hydraulic energy (pumper-storage reservoirs); heat energy from the sun can be stored in changing-phase material (…) or in the ground (Okotok Seasonal Storage); and so on.
Although not mandatory, energy storage technologies can enhance the performance and/or usefulness of a renewable energy system. For small-scale energy systems, enhanced performance and/or usefulness should outweigh the cost of inserting the storage component into the system.
Here you will find information on a variety of energy storage technologies to help you determine the best fit for your system. Please choose from the menu on the left.
Modified: 02-19-2008
